Motorists face further misery as plans for a major extension of Newcastle's controversial network of no-car lanes were unveiled today.

Proposals involve introducing new no-car lanes or extending existing ones on several busy traffic routes in and around the city centre.

No-car lanes were introduced by the then Labour-run city council five years ago to reduce congestion and speed up buses. They can also be used by taxis, lorries and bikes.

Council chiefs have hailed the move as a big success, allowing people to travel in and out of the city more quickly by bus and reducing non-essential traffic.

Frustrated car drivers who are banned from the red-coloured lanes between 7am and 7pm claim they've made congestion worse as they sit in jams alongside the no-car lanes.

The Liberal Democrats who won control of the council in June also support no-car lanes and plans to extend the network will be discussed at a meeting of the executive on Wednesday. Councillors are being warned improvements in public transport are a key Government target.

Around #350,000 has been set aside for priority measures this year and this money may be lost if action isn't taken.

Coun Wendy Taylor, Lib Dem executive member for environment and transport, said: "There is a huge problem with congestion in the city centre and we are trying to encourage people to switch from their cars to public transport.

"The best way to do that is to make sure it's better to travel by bus than by car.

"We hope that prioritising public transport will also encourage the bus companies to provide better quality vehicles and invest in more super routes which give passengers a high quality service."

Coun Greg Stone, Lib Dem executive member for regeneration, said: "Anything that enables buses to move more easily and persuades more people to use public transport has to be a good thing.

"We accept they are not popular with motorists but the Government requires us to take measures to cut congestion and we feel we have to introduce a certain number as part of our local transport plan."

Coun Nick Forbes, deputy leader of the council's opposition Labour group, said: "We support no-car lanes where they are clearly going to have a positive effect on public transport.

"The no-car lane in Percy Street, for example, has been a real success in getting buses in and out of the city centre more quickly."

Tony Vickers, of the motorists' pressure group, the Association of British Drivers, said: "As with speed cameras and parking restrictions, we are not completely against bus and no-car lanes but there are far too many.

"They should be used sparingly, where appropriate, not slapped in everywhere.

"In many cases they are introduced as an exercise in social engineering by those who take the view that cars are effectively a vice, like smoking or drinking, and that people need to be weaned off them."

Council officials have earmarked 13 busy traffic routes in Newcastle where new no car-lanes could be introduced.

They are stretches of Benton Park Road, the North West Radial Route between the city centre and Cowgate roundabout, Shields Road/Chillingham Road, the A69 heading into the city, John Dobson Street, New Bridge Street, Newgate Street, Market Street, Sandyford Road, Pilgrim Street, Grandstand Road and Osborne Road.

Some already have no-car lanes and the plan is to extend these.

Officials say if they can be introduced easily with the agreement of residents then work will start as soon as possible.

If there are local concerns, plans will be deferred until agreement is reached and the money may have to be diverted elsewhere.